Chapter 421: Gao Yang's Inner Thoughts

"You have your own plan, that's fine, but I cannot let you be at a loss."

Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "How about this: you give the cotton seeds to me, and the court will directly organize manpower to plant them."

"After the cotton is harvested, give it all to you to make cotton clothes and blankets; you can earn the money that belongs to you as you see fit."

"No, really, it's unnecessary," Chen Yan politely declined. "Your Majesty, the people consider food as heaven; grain is the foundation of a nation. Though you control many fields, many people in the Tang still lack grain to fill their bellies."

"Then let's stick to the original plan and let me grow the cotton. After all, my household here is small; we won't consume much grain ourselves."

"Originally, all that land was intended for cotton; changing the plan at the last minute would be inappropriate."

Li Shimin was about to persuade further, but Chen Yan cut in earnestly, "Your Majesty, I understand your point; you're afraid that I would invest money and land, work hard, yet earn little and take a loss."

"But the accounting can't be that simple. Didn't I tell you before? 'When poor, one should perfect oneself; when prosperous, one should aid the world.'"

"Now that I have some ability, you must give me a chance, to share the burdens and solve the difficulties for the land I live on and for the sovereign I admire."

When he said the last sentence, his tone carried a hint of jest, yet none of those present could laugh; instead, their expressions softened.

Li Shimin, hearing this, sighed emotionally and turned solemn: "Since your mind is set, I will not press further; if you encounter any difficulty along the way, send me a message at any time!"

"Very well!" Chen Yan replied with a smile, agreeing.

Li Shimin raised another matter, "The cotton planting is settled; regarding the Qu Yuan plow, how do you think it should be promoted for the best effect?"

"Is that even a question?" Chen Yan replied cheerfully, "Of course it's the Tang Dynasty Daily!"

"As long as the specific usage and effects of the Qu Yuan plow are fully written in the newspaper, with a diagram shown to the people, then posted as an official notice under the government's name, people will be well informed; there's no fear the populace won't know."

"Certainly!" he continued, "Such items cannot be given away; we must not let the people develop a mindset of gaining without labor. The strategy of replacing disaster with labor can actually be applied in many ways; simply sell them directly everywhere."

"If the people cannot afford to buy them, they can be leased; I believe no one in the world would dare owe you anything."

"Hmm!" Li Shimin nodded heavily; after such a long time, he increasingly appreciated the brilliance of replacing disaster with labor.

This can be seen from Weinan County, which changes almost every month.

Moreover, regarding the economic circulation Chen Yan initially mentioned, he could discern some principle. For example, on the surface Chen Yan seemed to be throwing money around; whether it's the laborers building roads, workshop workers, or even a gate guard, the wages Chen Yan paid were all quite high.

But the people, once they earn money, inevitably spend it.

In the past, days were tight; now they're comfortable. Pulling a few yards of fine cloth to make new clothes for family is quite reasonable, right?

During festivals or harvests, buying some meat, arranging wine, having a good meal to improve life—nothing excessive, right?

Having some spare cash, thinking of sending a child to the school to learn a few characters, that's even more natural, right?

Thus the money flows from Chen Yan's hand to the people's, then from the people to cloth merchants, taverns, schools... circulating throughout Weinan County, as if a stagnant pool were infused with vitality and began to flow again.

Such a marvelous cycle gave Li Shimin considerable shock.

It was then that he fully understood why Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, those extraordinary figures, would address Chen Yan as 'Sir', and why being coaxed into leading troops only elicited superficial complaints.

"The promotion of the Qu Yuan plow will follow your method; I will later discuss the specifics with Ke Ming and others, striving to bring it out soon," Li Shimin said immediately.

Chen Yan nodded, "When you depart later, I will give you the Qu Yuan plow's blueprints; have the Ministry of Works' people forge it according to the plans—it's simple, no instruction needed."

Li Shimin paused, then smiled and asked, "That's what you said yourself; I never asked you to produce it. Also, to be blunt, the rewards I gave you a couple of days ago were already substantial; I can't grant you many more in the short term."

"If you desire a death-exemption gold medal, I could forge a few for you!"

Chen Yan: "......"

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, almost everyone present burst into laughter.

When it comes to the clever uses of Chen Yan's death-exemption gold medal, who isn't aware?

In the past, the Marquis of Weinan could forgo anything, but he absolutely needed a death-exemption gold medal in hand, to mindlessly suppress Princess Gao Yang.

Now that matter hasn't been mentioned for a long time.

Empress Changsun smiled faintly, "Zi An, Gao Yang's condition hasn't improved; you must not use a death-exemption gold medal to strike her."

Chen Yan twitched his nose, not as embarrassed as imagined, and said earnestly, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I'm a good child; I would never strike my own wife."

"Not before marriage, then!"

Everyone: "......"

"Tsk!" Empress Changsun sighed helplessly, "Just you and your cheek... I have nothing more to say."

"Isn't that so?" Li Chengqian smacked his lips, as if recalling something, "Brother Zi An's talent in this regard truly impresses me."

Li Lizhi smiled, reached into Empress Changsun's arms and took the child, "Mother, you eat first; I'll look after Xiao Sui An."

"Alright." Empress Changsun, reluctantly, handed her granddaughter to her daughter.

With the third generation being born one after another, she has lately grown increasingly fond of these children.

Then the family sat down to eat and drink, chatting about ordinary household matters; they occasionally teased Sizi, Cheng Yang, Li Xin and the other children. Listening to their innocent chatter, everyone's smiles never faded, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

After the meal, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun went to see Gao Yang again, offering concern and advice.

When Li Shimin left, leaving only Empress Changsun and her daughter in the room, Gao Yang suddenly said, "Mother Empress, I have some matters I'd like to consult you about; I wonder if it's convenient?"

"Anything?" Empress Changsun shifted her gaze from the child, gently saying, "Just say whatever it is; what's there to be formal with me?"

In fact, from the moment she first saw Princess Gao Yang today, she sensed that Gao Yang had something on her mind.

But the child is grown, already a mother, so she didn't ask.

Now that Gao Yang is willing to speak, she naturally is willing to listen.

Gao Yang touched her own abdomen, about to speak, but hesitated.

Empress Changsun, seeing this, guessed, "Tang'er, is it because... you gave birth to a daughter?"

"......"